Paresa
Coastal glamour
Millionaire's Mile
Named after the 'heaven of all heavens' in Sanskrit, Paresa boutique hotel in Phuket perches high on the cliffs of Kamala Bay, with sandy beaches within easy reach and god-given views of Andaman Sea sunsets from all of its contemporary rooms. Relax in the seductive day spa, learn Thai culinary tricks in the smart cooking school or just chill out by the jaw-dropping infinity pool. Overwater dining day-beds put the 'I do' into proposals.
Facilities
Rooms
Forty-two, including 29 suites.
Checkout
Noon; check-in, 3pm, but both are flexible subject to availability. Late check-outs up to 6pm will be charged the nightly room rate.
More Details
Rates include a sparkling wine breakfast, welcome fruit on arrival, daily minibar restock for certain items, free WiFi, and free daily transfers to and from Kamala Beach.
Also
The hotel’s light-filled library, the Andaman Gallery, has a collection of books, newspapers and magazines to read, and board games to play (just in case you’re running low on conversation).
Fitness Center
Free Internet Access
Laundry
On-Site Restaurant
Spa
At the Hotel
Spa; gym; library; cooking school; free WiFi throughout; concierge and gardens. In rooms: flatscreen TV, espresso machine, Bluetooth speakers, free bottled water.
Our Favourite Rooms
All Paresa's pool villas offer seductive sea and sunset views off Phuket's west coast, but for a private plunge pool opt for an Ocean Pool Suite or any of the categories above it. We're pretty partial to the Spa Pool Suite, which comes with a private outdoor treatment sala, steam room and a freestanding island bath tub with wraparound pool. For all-out luxe, the Grand Residence Pool Villa boasts its own dining pavilion, kitchen and wine cellar.
Poolside
Paresa's streamlined infinity pool is a thing of beauty, flanked by a vast wooden deck delivering Andaman Sea views. Poolside food and bar service means you won't go hungry or thirsty lapping up those views from your lounger or beanbag, and the heady cliffside setting means you can survey your holiday kingdom from on high. Shake things up in the Energy Flotation Pool, a small, black-terrazzo number on the sun-deck with a rose quartz crystal obelisk for positive vibes. The pool is open between 10am and 6pm; after that, it's the setting for romantic dinners.
Spa
Open between 11am to 8pm, Paresa’s spa offers an array of natural treatments in five sea-facing rooms. Handmade lemongrass, jasmine and sandalwood oils are paired with ancient Thai healing rituals to relieve any lasting aches and pains. Each treatment room has a bath and steam shower, and there’s a salon where you’re welcome to get manicures, pedicures and waxes.
Packing Tips
If ever there was a time to splash out on a fashion-forward bikini or pair of board shorts, it's when you've booked a sojourn at Paresa. A pool this dreamy deserves a sartorial style statement. Bring a notebook for jotting down Thai cooking class tips, yoga gear if you plan to get bendy, and boat shoes for hiring out the resort's yacht.
Also
During peak season, a five-night minimum stay applies. Smoking is allowed on room balconies only; pets are not welcome.
Children
All ages welcome – baby cots are free; sofa beds for kids aged five to 11 are THB1,000 a night or THB3,000 for over-11s – the price includes daily breakfast, too; babysitting is available for THB800 per child with a minimum of two hours (more after 11pm).
Gallery
Food & Drink
Top Table
We love swimming and dining, so imagine our delight when we discovered Paresa's ultra-romantic 'infinity dining' concept. Snaffle a day-bed for two suspended over the infinity pool and waiters will wade out to serve you supper.
Dress Code
Relaxed by day, racy by night. There's something about oh-my-god ocean views that cry out for a bit of dramatic dressing up.
Hotel Restaurant
Sitting on a cliff-top setting, Talung Thai Restaurant shares the same dining space and serves authentic cuisine with a southern Thai slant, with a gorgeous outdoor deck for saluting the sunset. Plus, there's a stellar drinks list with cool cocktails and wines from around the world.
Hotel Bar
Drinks are served at Talung Thai, where you'll find an outdoor terrace that's the perfect spot for a sundowner.
Last Orders
Breakfast runs from 7am to 11am, lunch is served from 11am and dinner is served until 11pm.
Room Service
Mirroring the restaurant menu, room service is available until 10.30pm.
Planes
Fly into Phuket International Airport (www.phuketairportonline.com), which receives regular international flights from dozens of destinations. Try Thai Airways (www.thaiairways.com), Cathay Pacific (www.cathaypacific.com) or Air Asia (www.airasia.com) if you're coming from Europe or Asia, or from Australia check out Virgin Australia (www.virginaustralia.com) or Jetstar (www.jetstar.com). Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com) offers domestic connections. The hotel is 45 to 60 minutes away by car, and transfers can be arranged; it's THB2,000 each way for a private hotel car (maximum three people) or THB2,500 each way for a luxury van (maximum six people).
Trains
Although trains on the mainland can be an efficient way to travel, Phuket island isn't served by train, so we recommend hopping there by air.
Automobiles
Parking is available at the hotel for self-drivers. If you're coming from the nearest town, Patong, it's a 25-minute journey.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
The jaw-plummeting ocean and jungle views here are enough to make you jump out of bed each day. What's your whim? Canoeing through cave-sheltered lagoons, elephant-scouting in Thalang, Bhuddist blessings in a nearby pagoda, snorkelling and heritage tours are on the action-packed menu.
We're also pretty wowed by the Recipe, the Paresa's state-of-the-art Thai cooking school. Accompany the chef to the local morning market to select your produce, then cook and eat it in the show kitchen (you'll receive your own apron to take home). Though most guests tend to hang out at the hotel, it's worth pottering down to Kamala Beach at least once during your stay (made easier with the hotel's free shuttle service), a beautiful little strip of sand with safe swimming.
Spa treatments are a must, with five double treatment rooms up for grabs, with steam rooms, showers, and sea views from private relaxation balconies for chilling out afterwards. Serious detox devotees can book in for the Heavenly Bliss, a three-and-a-half hour full-body treatment that ends with an aromatic milk bath (trust us...)
Beyond the hotel, enjoy a guided shopping excursion to Kamala Night Market to sample village-style shopping and street food, Surin for upmarket handicrafts and stores, or take a luxe SUV to Patong for more urban thrills. Paresa also offers an island-hopping day trip taking in Phang Nga's famous bay, as well as swimming, snorkelling and a beach lunch at Koh Phi Phi island. Animals lovers can also spend half a day elephant trekking in the lush island interior. Top your stay off with a swish charter trip on the Paresa's yacht. Landlubbers can visit the Big Buddha and Promtheap Cape to watch a woo-worthy sunset.
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
